13 Reasons why Riley Loves the ZOO

#13- The crazy Turkey that all but stuck his neck out so Riley could touch him.
#12- The Zebra's because they have black and white stripes that according to Riley

"Are just beautiful"

#11- The penguins, because they are so silly when they walk, and they swim in the water, and they make funny noises.

#10- The Tiger. He was pacing like crazy and taking BIG drinks
out of the water fall



#9- The Plastic looking Albino Crocodile. We visited him a few times and I don't think he
ever changed position. Riley also liked the baby Alligators
so much so that we had to buy a toy Alligator for him to bring home

This is the baby. It was the closest I have ever been to a Giraffe
#8- The Giraffes. And what does a Giraffe say according to Riley?

"I got a long neck" (thanks grandpa Dale)

#7- Rhinos because they have big horns on their noses and are just

about the most awesome animal ever.

#6- This CRAZY baby cat that wanted to attack everything in sight


#5- The Carousel that we rode 5 times. Riley rode an Elephant, a Rhino twice,

A Buffalo and a Praying Mantis

#4- Getting your picture taken with an eagle
SWEET

#3- Hanging out with the monkeys. I wanted to bring this

Orangutan home with me until he yawned and I saw his teeth.

#2- The super magical train ride, complete with Buffalo that are behind no sort of cage

and a tunnel which is great for screaming

And Riley's #1 reason for loving the zoo-

ELEPHANTS DUH!!!!

Hubby Tag

How long have you been married?- 8 years, 10 months and 3 days

How old is your husband?- 31

Who eats more?-I think he eats more than me, unless it's something he doesn't like. And there are many things he doesn't like.

Who said I love you first?- Mat did, I was a little gun shy from my previous relationship.

Who is taller?- Mat by about 5 inches

Who sings better?- We actually can both sing fairly well, so that's a toss up.

Who is smarter?- Mat for sure

Who controls the T.V. remote?- That would be me......

Whose temper is worse?- Mat has that Creviston temper, which anyone who knows a Creviston knows it's pretty ugly. I have three words- RUN AWAY FAST. But he doesn't get mad to often, and when he does it's usually not directed at me. I would say I get mad more often than he does, I just yell and then I'm done. When Mat gets mad it can last for a little while.

Who does the laundry?- Mat has been banned from the laundry room. He does help me fold it and put it away, but I don't let him touch any of my clothes with a ten foot pole

Who does the dishes? I load, he unloads. It's a joint effort

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed?- No one- I sleep in the middle of the bed and he sleeps on the couch. In our next house I am hoping he goes for the idea of 2 master bedrooms like my mom and Tim have. What a great idea

Who cooks dinner?- We take turns. He is really good about helping with the cooking. Usually if I cook he cleans up and if he cooks I clean up.

Who is more stubborn?- That is a tough one as we are both super stubborn, but I would probably say I am more stubborn than he is.

Whose parents do you see more often?- We probably see my dad and Teri the most. Although Mat works with his mom so they see each other in passing and I probably talk to my mom and Tim every day

Who has more friends?- We actually share most of the same friends which is nice, but I would say I probably have more friends

Who has more siblings?- I do. I have 1 brother, 1 half brother and 3 step brothers, and Mat has one sister.

I would like to say that I am married to the sweetest man on earth. He treats me like a queen everyday and I know how much he loves and appreciates me, and that means a lot. I think we have a great marriage and I am so grateful for all the ways he takes care of me and Riley. He is truly the kindest person I know, with a big heart and a generous soul. I couldn't ask for a better partner in this crazy world. He is my center, my true North and I am a better person because of all he brings to my life. I love you baby!!!

Snow Ball Fight.......

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Fun with the North's

My dad gets a cabin in Midway every year over Labor Day, so we all pile in the car and head up for a weekend of fun. This year was no exception. We did a lot of shopping in Park City and the guys played 18 holes of golf Saturday, Sunday and Monday. (Mat was really broke up about this one)
Riley had a great time, playing on the stairs, using a slat out of the blinds as a dragon, playing with the super cool elephant game Grandma Teri bought and body slamming everyone, with each and every opportunity that presented itself. Poor uncle Johnny probably needs a back adjustment. We played lots of cards, and while I got my butt kicked at Phase 10 I did hold my own in a few fierce games of Hearts. Uncle Boby and I even played a lengthy game of War in which he ultimately kicked my trash.
Grandma & Grandpa North also made it up from St George, and we were glad to spend some time with them this weekend.

This is Mason, one of the newest additions to the North Family. Riley wanted him to come outside and play with him, when that didn't work he settled on holding him for a minute

This is the elephant game that Grandma Teri bought.

Riley and Mat had a lot of fun playing this while the rest of us played cards.

Sadie came up with Justin for a few hours on Sunday and
I had the privilege of getting my hair cut....it looks awesome

Cheetos and a movie....good times

Time for a tea party. These two were a crack up putting the dolls down for a nap

and making some sort of chocolate concoction that they were going to feed

the dolls.

We had a lot of fun and can't wait to go again next year.

The Great Outdoors

Well I finally did it. Whats that you say? I took Riley up to Strawberry for what was supposed to be a nice weekend of camping and hunting with the Walkers.

And no, in case there is any doubt in your mind, I don't hunt.

Well we didn't make it for the weekend but we did make it up for the day on Saturday.

This is much improved, since the last time I went up was two years ago, 2 months after my knee surgery, and I pretty much told Mat in no uncertain

terms that I would not be coming up again. Knowing me I said it a little more colorfully than that but I'll try to keep it at least PG-13 for the little ones.

Now I must say that my not wanting to come up in no way reflects how I feel about the Walker Family. They are the absolute nicest family ever,

and they have the best card games ever. They also play a mean game of Yahtzee, complete with their own little rules. I love to play games of pretty much any kind so anytime I can get in on some of that action I am a happy clam.

And they have the best camp food. I am by no means picky, but these folks lay out a good spread!!

Here is Riley. By the looks on his face Mat must have asked him to stop

doing whatever it was that he was doing.

This is Sierra. Our good friends Kyle and Aubrey's daughter.

She is one of the smartest kids I have ever met. One of my last conversations with her

was about how the dinosaurs became extinct.

She has put a lot of thought into this.

Why ride a bike, when you can cover it with dirt and pull it with a stick?

I am pretty sure he either face planted it somewhere along the way,

or cleaned his hands on his face

The big 4-wheeler ride.

This is Kanyon, Kyle and Aubrey's newest addition.
He is such a sweetie




Rolling around in the dirt is fun, and rolling around on the carpet is a great way to roll off the excess dirt build -up

Ahhhh a face only a mother could love. And this mother loves

that little face a lot.

I can even say I would love to come up again next year.

Thanks Kyle and Aubrey for inviting us

to stay in your super nice trailer, even though the over night adventure didn't work out.

Hopefully the offer will still stand for next year.

You know I'm always good for at least a pan of rice crispy treats.

My list of things that must go.

Well its been quite the week and I just wanted to share with you my top 5 list of things that must go.

#5-The medication I picked up at the pharmacy today that had warnings that I should not only stay out of the sun, but avoid taking antacids 6 hours before or two hours after taking, and to be aware that if I wear soft contacts (which I do not) that they will most likely alter in color. And also my urine will be flaming orange. And Yes I actually have the privilege of swallowing these babies for the next 5 days.

#4- The van in Allen's parking lot that was left running with a sleeping baby inside that could not have been more than a year old. Come on people!! I know we live in Happy Valley but give me a break

#3- The strange lady I have seen at Charlies just about every day this month who is in a wheelchair and smoking three cigarettes at the same time. All I can figure is that they must be really good, or she is trying to kill herself three times as fast.

#2- The Wonder Pets. Riley has found this new show that he likes and I want to bang my head against the wall every time he says he wants to watch it. And not only does he want to watch it but he wants to lay in my bed, on my pillows, with a blanket, with me right beside him singing the lame songs.

and #1- Going to my neighbors house at 12:04 in the a.m. to kindly ask them to turn off their freaking skill saw because I and the rest of the neighborhood are trying to sleep. Never mind that none of them speak a word of English except for the small children who should probably be in bed because they have school the next day. I told them next time I would be calling the policia..I think they got the hint.

Ahhhh thanks for letting me get that off me chest.

Goodnight!!

Tag

I saw this Tag on Natalie's Blog and thought it looked like fun.

Rules: NO Cleaning, no straightening, no wiping kids noses....go take these pictures right now!

Kitchen Sink: It's seen better days but not to bad. Can you say HARD WATER??? Welcome to Springville.
Bathroom: Mat actually cleaned it before he left, so it's in pretty good shape....mine on the other hand is another story. My sink is the catch all for lack of counter space. Someday I will have my dream bathroom.
Laundry Room: I can't believe I am even showing a picture. Its the only unfinished room in our house and it shows. I have been BEGGING for years to get this room done, but there always seems to be more important things to do or a lack of fund-age Ü
Closet: Fairly OK. Mat's clothes are in the spare bedroom. If we ever have kid number two, who knows how we will fit all his crap in with mine?

Fridge: Hey there's food in it which is more than I can say for some weeks at our house
What my kid is doing right now: Eating M n M's and watching Lion King
Favorite Shoes: I bought these darlings in Las Vegas......oh how I love that place. I also have them in Black and white
Favorite Room in the House: The kitchen! We painted it red but up bead board and have kind of the Paris Cafe theme....I love it

Dream Vacation: Some day I will make it to New York with or with out my hubby. Anywhere on a beach sounds great too

Self Portrait: Forget it.....you all know what I look like, so just imagine me in you head and that will do great!!

I tag: Lacy, Shannon & Mandi

For all my favorite "holiday" loving friends.

You only have 131 more shopping days until

Christmas!!!

Fantastic Family + Fabulous Food = Fun

We had the pleasure of having my family over for dinner this evening. We don't get the opportunity to get together to often, but we sure have a lot of fun when we do. Everyone was able to make it except for Officer North (AKA my little bro Justin), and Cody who is one of my other brothers. But their wives and kids came, so that more than made up for their absence.

We had a grand feast of grilled turkey, corn on the cob, salad, Mexican dip, relish trays, fruit trays, and lets not forget the yummy root beer floats that were a hit with the little ones

My Niece Sadie...check out her beautiful blue eyes.

Riley taking his sweet time, and of course he won' t look at the camera

Here is Sadie making her way up to go down the big slide.

Sadie and Aubrey playing golf. Grandma Sherry and Mandi ducking when Necessary.

Aubrey doing a back bend
There can never be any sort of event at the Taylor's without a friendly
game of Volleyball......GO MAT!!!!
Cordi got a little more than she bargained for during this round.
Oh CRAP what did i step in.....Uhhhh that would be CRAP.

Riley and Sadie taking time out to share a piece of pineapple
Are we going to play or what??

Not sure if Clint or Austin really got this one but this picture proves that
white men really can jump. Or at least some of them can!! Ü

Thanks all for coming. We Love You!!!